Privacy Policy

Information you provide directly:

• Name, email address, and phone number when you submit a business listing or contact form
• Business details (name, address, category, description) when you submit or claim a listing
• Account information (email and password) when you create an account
• Any messages or feedback you send us through our contact channels

Information collected automatically:

• IP address, browser type, operating system, and device information
• Pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation patterns
• Referring website addresses and search terms used to find our site
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Cookies section below)

Information from third parties:

• Publicly available business information used to populate our directory
• Analytics data from Google Analytics and similar services
• Affiliate tracking data from our advertising partners (see our Affiliate Disclosure for details)

We use the information we collect to:

• Operate, maintain, and improve the MarkhamBusiness.com website and services
• Process and display business listings submitted by users
• Respond to your inquiries, comments, and requests
• Send administrative communications about your account or listings
• Analyze website traffic and usage patterns to improve user experience
• Track affiliate referrals and commissions for our credit card comparison content
• Detect and prevent fraudulent or unauthorized activity
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms of service

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We do not use your information for unsolicited marketing without your express consent.

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our site.

Types of cookies we use:

• Essential cookies: Required for the site to function properly, including session management and security. These cannot be disabled.
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our site. We use Google Analytics to collect anonymized usage data such as page views, session duration, and traffic sources.
• Affiliate tracking cookies: Used by our affiliate partners (such as Fintel Connect, CJ Affiliate, and card issuer programs) to track referrals when you click on credit card links in our content. These cookies allow us to earn a commission if you apply for and are approved for a financial product. Cookie durations vary by partner, typically 7 to 30 days.
• Preference cookies: Store your preferences such as cookie consent choices so you are not asked repeatedly.

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies. However, disabling essential cookies may affect site functionality. A cookie consent banner is displayed on your first visit, allowing you to accept or decline non-essential cookies.

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• Service providers: We use third-party services for hosting (Vercel), database management (Supabase), and analytics (Google Analytics). These providers process data on our behalf and are bound by their own privacy policies.
• Affiliate partners: When you click an affiliate link on our site, our affiliate partners may collect information about your visit for the purpose of tracking referrals. We do not share your personal information directly with these partners; tracking is handled through cookies placed by the partner platforms.
• Legal requirements: We may disclose information when required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request.
• Business transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include encrypted data transmission (HTTPS/TLS), secure database hosting with row-level security policies, and access controls limited to authorized personnel.

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law. Business listing information remains on the site as long as the listing is active. You may request deletion of your personal information at any time by contacting us.

Under Canadian privacy law, you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information
• Withdraw consent for the collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information
• Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements
• File a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada if you believe your privacy rights have been violated

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the information below. We will respond to access and correction requests within 30 days.

We comply with Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). We do not send commercial electronic messages without your express or implied consent. All commercial emails include a clear sender identification, our mailing address, and a functional unsubscribe mechanism. Unsubscribe requests are processed within 10 business days.

Our website is not directed at individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your privacy rights, or have concerns about how your information is handled, please contact us:

• Email: privacy@markhambusiness.com
• Website: markhambusiness.com
• Location: Markham, Ontario, Canada